MANCHESTER UNITED forward Wayne Rooney talked up his team's chances in the title race, while Brendan Rodgers blasted the "horrendous" match officials after Liverpool lost out to title rivals Manchester City.

THE SUN: Arsene Wenger claimed Arsenal proved they are genuine title contenders after coming from behind to win at West Ham. Also: Malky Mackay last night revealed he has still not had talks with Cardiff owner Vincent Tan.

DAILY MAIL: Brendan Rodgers faces an FA charge after questioning the integrity of referee Lee Mason and labelling the match officials "horrendous" following Liverpool's defeat at Manchester City last night. Also: Arsene Wenger insists the stirring 3-1 comeback victory at West Ham yesterday proves Arsenal are genuine title contenders.

DAILY MIRROR: Brendan Rodgers blasted "horrendous" referee Lee Mason and his officials after seeing his side's title hopes suffer a bitter blow. Also: Wayne Rooney claims Manchester United have joined the title fight after inspiring their comeback at Hull.

DAILY EXPRESS: Brendan Rodgers risked an FA charge by appearing to question the impartiality of referee Lee Mason and his assistants after Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by Manchester City last night. Also: Arsene Wenger says his team showed their title-winning credentials as they came from behind to win 3-1 at West Ham yesterday - but was counting the cost of a "serious" injury to Aaron Ramsay.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, is to ask the Premier League why "a referee from Greater Manchester" was in charge of Thursday's fixture which ended in a controversial defeat for the visitors. Also: Jose Mourinho has been repeatedly telling his team that they need to become "killers" but this was another frustrating example of their propensity to rely on a glancing blow rather than bludgeon such obviously inferior opposition into submission.

THE TIMES: In the festive racing arena once ruled by Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, it was time for a new hero. Into the breach stepped Silviniaco Conti, a horse of mysterious naming but solidly unambiguous virtues.

Also: It was only a friendly, so to speak. Andy Murray lost in straight sets to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga yesterday in front of a sprinkling of supporters under lights in Abu Dhabi, which is light years away from Centre Court on a summer's afternoon.

THE GUARDIAN: Manchester City preserved their 100% home record at the expense of Liverpool's attempt to climb back to the top of the table, coming from a goal down to secure the points that took them past their north-west rivals to go second behind Arsenal.

Also: Paul Nicholls extended his near-monopoly on the feature race of the Christmas programme and increased the momentum of his challenge for the trainers' championship when Silviniaco Conti and Al Ferof finished first and third in the King George VI Chase at Kempton yesterday.

THE INDEPENDENT: Brendan Rodgers risked possible Football Association action by questioning the appointment of a Greater Manchester referee to officiate the fixture against Manchester City, in which a 2-1 defeat for his Liverpool side allowed Arsenal to regain top spot in the Premier League. Also: Malky Mackay, the Cardiff manager, will finally get his meeting with the club's owner, Vincent Tan, tomorrow and will learn his fate.

LIVERPOOL ECHO: Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, 33, is likely to return earlier than expected from a hamstring injury and return to full training in the new year. The England midfielder was injured earlier this month and was initially ruled out for six weeks.